By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer
Northborough – Dave Teggart's fancy footwork as a young soccer player earned him a spot as the kicker for his sixth-grade Pop Warner football team. He went on to kick for the Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS) Tomahawks where he received numerous awards and accolades. Honors included being named: to the 2006 Worcester Telegram & Gazette and the MetroWest Daily News Super Teams; an All-Star pick by the Telegram & Gazette in 2005 and the Daily News in 2004 and 2005; twice as an All-League player.
Teggart graduated from ARHS in 2007 and headed to the University of Connecticut (UConn) where he continued his winning ways. As a rising Huskies star, Teggart made the first 11 field goals of his collegiate career (a first in Huskies history), setting a school record. Success on the field continued for Teggart in 2009. He hit 47 consecutive extra points, tying the longest streak in school history. In the UConn record book, he is first in career field goals (74), first in single-season field goals, first in single-season consecutive extra points, second in career extra points (128), and second in career points (350).
It is no surprise that Teggart, 23, was invited to the Chicago Bears mini camp May 11. And on May 13, he signed a three-year contract with the team.
Teggart's father, Dave senior, a former kicker for the University of New Hampshire Wildcats, has encouraged his son every step of the way, traveling to games and spending countless hours studying game tapes.
“He knows my swing better than anyone,” Teggart said of his father. “He and my mother are amazing role models for me. They have taught me to work hard for what I want and not to think that success will be handed to me. I take nothing for granted. Because of them I have the drive and determination to keep going and the respect [for the game] to know that fame can be fleeting.”
Realizing his dream to play in the NFL is surreal said Teggart. As a player who can make or break a game, he seems to take the pressure in stride.
“It is the nature of the position,” he said. “I just put it out of my head – forget the last kick and immediately go on to the next one.”
For the elder Teggart though, there is enormous anticipation every time his son takes the field.
“It is nerve wracking watching your son go out in front of 80,000 people to make a field goal,” he said. “His 52-yard field goal with 17 seconds left on the clock to win the game and send UConn to the Fiesta Bowl in 2010 was as exciting as it .”
For now, Teggart is living in a hotel room. He arrived at mini camp with enough clothing for a weekend of tryouts and ended up signing a contract and staying in Chicago. He headed home to Northborough for the Memorial Day weekend to tie up loose ends and collect some clothing. Preseason starts in earnest in August. For Teggart, this opportunity is something he has wanted for a very long time.
According to the elder Teggart, “Dave has dreamed of playing in the NFL since middle school. He has gotten up every morning and gone to bed every night with that goal in mind.”
For Teggart, this is no longer a dream. (Photos/courtesy Dave Teggart)